Synopsis In recent years, the study of settlement archaeology has become the theme of sterling interest among the archaeologists. This book is a comprehensive, critical and multifaceted study in theory and practice of settlement archaeology of early historical phase in Northern India. The author thoroughly examines the distribution, magnitude and frequency of early historical settlements in its ecological ambience which is per se palpable if one reads through the book. In the horizontal and vertical chronological framework of the present study, the author has delved deep into the distribution, diffusion and evolution of material culture. She has also thrown ample light on the varied complex problems emerging out in the courses of present study of settlement archaeology. In this book an attempt has been made to critically evaluate archaeological information on individual urban vis-?-vis rural settlements of so called classical second and third urbanization in Northern India. Moreover, a novel approach of spatial analysis of early historical phase of Northern India is also one of the characteristics feature of this monograph.